Mother's tragedy spurs window safety warnings


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WEST JORDAN — A cemetery isn't usually a place filled with laughter and smiles.

"A lot of times we'll fly kites and we'll play games," said Michelle Newman.

For this mother, that's exactly the kind of atmosphere she wants at her son's grave.

"We'll do things I think James would have liked doing with us," she said.

James was just a couple months shy of his second birthday when he was playing at home in the family's second-floor condo.

"(He) crawled up on the couch and I just heard a pop and I looked over my shoulder and I just saw his heels as he toppled out the window," she remembered.

It was a window propped open to allow the breeze in and a screen not strong enough to prevent her son from falling out.

"When I got to his side, he gave me one last smile and then went unconscious," she said.

First responders rushed James to the hospital and doctors worked for hours to save his life.

"The doctor knocked on the door and he said, 'I'm sorry, we've done everything we can, but your son is gone.'"

April 20 marks the nine year anniversary of her son's death. It's a day Newman says she used to dread. Now, it's a day she uses to celebrate his life and, this year, a day she wants to share his story.

"I know people don't think it can happen to them," she said.


(He) crawled up on the couch and I just heard a pop and I looked over my shoulder and I just saw his heels as he toppled out the window,

–Michelle Newman


She hopes her experience will make parents aware of the danger in their homes because she never wants another family to feel the pain she did.

"Talking about it and helping someone possibly, it helps my pain feel a little bit less," she said.

Primary Children's Hospital has some simple tips to keep children safe around windows, including moving furniture away from windows, installing window guards or stops, and keeping windows locked when children are in the home.

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Ashley Kewish

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